Nigeria's senate leader, Ahmed Lawan, has attributed leadership deficit as one of the factors preventing the country from achieving sustainable economic growth and development.

Speaking Thursday at the fourth leadership mentorship program for young people initiated by the Kaduna state government, Lawan further attributed the rising insecurity and other socio-economic challenges to poor leadership at all levels.

According to president of the red chamber of the National Assembly, Nigeria can only attain the desired level of development that it deserves, if every part, segment and strata of the society develops a deliberate and focused leadership pattern.

He stressed that there is need for government at the different levels, to come up with policies to sustain leadership through mentoring of young people on required skills and public service.